Ilia Malinin Plans Quad Axel for Olympic Free Skate Performance

Ilia Malinin, the American figure skating prodigy, has made headlines at the Milan Cortina Olympics with plans to execute the quad axel. This jump, which consists of 4.5 rotations, is remarkably challenging and has yet to be successfully landed in competition by any other skater. Despite teasing fans with his ambitions, Malinin has opted for the safer triple axel during earlier events. He humorously attributed this choice to his “lazy part,” suggesting he might be conserving energy for the grand finale.

Leading the Competition

As the competition heats up, Malinin enters the free skate with a significant lead of five points over Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama and France’s Adam Siao Him Fa. This margin provides him some flexibility; he could attempt the quad axel even with the risk of failing. In his submitted program for the upcoming free skate, he has included the quad axel among a record-tying seven total quads.

The Challenge of the Quad Axel

The quad axel is considered one of the most difficult elements in figure skating. Unlike other jumps, the axel starts facing forward, adding an extra half revolution. Even elite skaters often struggle with the triple version of this jump. Scott Hamilton, a 1984 Olympic champion, expressed astonishment at the prospect of seeing a quadruple axel performed in his lifetime, and yet Malinin achieved this milestone in September 2022, during the U.S. International Figure Skating Classic.

Performance and Strategy

With a base value of 12.5 points for the quad axel, Malinin can gain a substantial scoring advantage over competitors who are attempting fewer difficult jumps. Despite the high risk, the ensemble of his program remains formidable, making the inclusion of the quad axel somewhat optional. Kagiyama and Siao Him Fa have planned four quads in their routines.

• Malinin’s Statistics:
  • Quad Axel: 4.5 revolutions
  • Base Value of Quad Axel: 12.5 points
  • Current Lead: 5 points over competitors
  • Total Planned Quads: 7

Unique Innovations

Beyond the quad axel, Malinin has incorporated various unique elements in his routines, including a signature move he calls the “raspberry twist,” named after the meaning of his last name in Russian. He has also been recognized for including a backflip after the ISU lifted its ban on such maneuvers. These creative components showcase Malinin’s desire to push boundaries in figure skating.

Final Opportunity at the Olympics

The stage is set for Malinin as he prepares for one last performance at the Milan Cortina Olympics. With the weight of expectations and a desire to end his Olympic journey on a high note, he knows that landing the quad axel could solidify his legacy. As the world watches, Malinin aims to balance ambition with the necessary caution to ensure a clean performance.

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